AFC Playoff Preview: Baltimore at Denver

By Bobby Bonett, Digital First Media

Saturday, January 12, 2013

The Baltimore Ravens (10-6 during the regular season) take on the Denver Broncos (13-3) in the first game of the divisional round of the NFL playoffs. Read a preview of the match-up, including broadcast information and key players.

Gameday detailsTime and location

Saturday, Jan. 12, 4:30 p.m. ET at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium in Denver.

Broadcast scheduleTV: CBSOnline: NFL Audio Pass

Radio: Sirius XM Channels 92 and 86, Dial Global Sports

Betting lineThe Broncos are favored by 9 1/2 points via OddsShark.com. The over/under for the game is 46 points.

How they got hereBaltimore Ravens

On the heels of Ray Lewisí retirement announcement, the Ravens trounced the Colts in an AFC wild-card game, 24-9. Lewis led the team with 13 tackles, including nine solo, and had a pass deflection. Baltimore sacked Andrew Luck three times, and limited the rookie quarterback to a 59.8 passer rating. Joe Flacco threw a pair of touchdowns for the Ravens, and Bernard Pierce and Ray Rice combined for 173 yards rushing on 28 carries.

Denver BroncosThe offseason signing of Peyton Manning didnít pay immediate dividends for the Broncos, as Denver stumbled out of the gate with three losses in the first five games. It was smooth sailing after that, though, as Manning and the team defense led the Broncos to 11 consecutive wins to close out the season. In the process, Manning established himself as one of the leagueís top two MVP candidates (along with Adrian Peterson), and Denver cruised to an AFC West title and first-round playoff bye.

Recent historyThe Broncos and Ravens met in Week 15 of the regular season with Denver coming out on top, 34-17. The Broncosí defense shut down the Ravensí two-headed running back duo of Ray Rice and Bernard Pierce, limiting the pair to 58 yards on 17 carries. Peyton Manning threw for 204 yards and a touchdown, Eric Decker finished with eight receptions for 133 yards, and Knowshon Moreno rushed for 115 yards.

Key match-upBroncos run defense vs. Ravens rushing attack

One mark of the Broncosí season-ending 11-game winning streak was the teamís stout run defense. Over their final 11 games, the Broncos allowed more than 100 rushing yards just once. Conversely, in the seasonís first five games, two opponents rushed for more than 100 yards -- the Texans (152) in Week 3, and the Patriots (251) in Week 5 -- both Denver losses.

The Ravensí success, meanwhile, has been predicated on their rushing attack. In the teamís 11 wins this year (including the postseason), Baltimore topped 100 yards eight times.

If Ray Rice and Bernard Pierce are effective -- which could happen if Joe Flacco can stretch the field with Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith -- the Ravens can pull off the upset. But if the Broncos shut down the Ravensí two backs just as they did in Denverís Week 15 win, Ray Lewisí career will end in a divisional round defeat.